Tag: Chris Muise

Grandson Chris Muise talks about life in the Army

Posted on by Sharon

From the Beacon 

by Jason Brisbois

Chris Muise, 19, talks about life in the Army-

In a hostile environment, in a foreign country, miles away from family and across the Atlantic Ocean, finding any level of comfort is a challenge.

For Chris Muise, who is currently back at home in Gloucester while on leave after serving for six months in Afghanistan with the United States Army, comfort comes from knowing the person standing next to him has his back.

“Me, personally, I rely on everybody around me,” explains the 19-year-old Gloucester native, who graduated from Gloucester High School in 2010 and graduated from basic training in February of this year. “We rely on each other to keep each other sane. We try to look on the bright side of stuff while we’re over there, doing what we can.”

For now, he finds a level of comfort simply being back home with family, including parents Cynthia McDonald and Michael Wall. He anticipates spending Thanksgiving with his family members, but most likely will be assigned to his next tour of duty (with destination unknown) before Christmas. It’s possible he could be back in Afghanistan, or another war-torn country with a hostile terrain and populace. Such is the life of the modern-day soldier, a reminder of just what current service men and women endure as we celebrate Veterans Day on Nov. 11. Read more here.


Welcome home, Chris!

Posted on by Sharon

As many of you know, my 19 year old grandson, Chris Muise, has been serving in Afghanistan for the past nine months with the US Army. Yesterday he flew home from his home base in Louisiana (Fort Polk). My sister Pat got a Hummer limo for 20 of his friends and family to surprise him at Logan. After all 20 of us going to the wrong terminal, getting on a bus to the right one, we waited excitedly for Chris to get off the plane. His step-dad Bryan met him upstairs as planned, and as they came down the escalator, Chris was blown away as everyone screamed and cheered at his arrival. Hugs and tears for all! Absolutely the BEST!

Click on the photos or here for more pictures!

The Best Day!

Posted on by Sharon

#1 Grandson Chris is back in the States from his tour in Afghanistan…going through Customs right now! His sister Cait and Grandma Pat will be waiting at the gate in Louisiana. Huge sigh of relief! We love you, Chris!

Life is good

Posted on by Sharon
Click on Chris for more photos.

In the midst of the sadness of our mother/Nana/Grammy slowly slipping away, we celebrated #2 grandkid’s GHS graduation. It was supposed to also be Chris’s good-bye party for his departure to the Army on Tuesday, but that part has been delayed due to his rite-of-passage bike ride off Magnolia Pier on a bicycle….20 stitches in his foot when he hit the gear thing!

So anyway, thunderstorms were predicted for yesterday. But we had gotten the permit for Stage Fort Park and all other preparations were made. My sister rented a huge tent just in case. Well, the day started out beautifully, and although we’ve all been on edge, we hoped for a relaxing day. Lots of food, friends, and family swimming and playing volleyball.

Then the dark clouds rolled in. We cooked the remaining chicken and watched the sky. Well, for any of us who thought the tent might not be necessary…. We grabbed the chairs, towels, shoes, and continued the party under shelter. This is when the fun got started. No amount of rain was going to stop the volleyball game! The rain was warm and no one minded being wet. We watched as a kid from a kayaking party played soccer from inside a trash can. A woman hurried to her car with an inverted umbrella (her version of a rain barrel??) A group of  harmonica-playing teens paraded by us.

Our volleyball players all came back under the tent after a while for cake and more food. Soaking wet and happy. We started packing up. No easy task with dripping hair and puddles forming at our feet. The rain would not let up, and the tent had to come down. Well, I left with 2 shivering kids in my car. Five adults were left to deal with the huge task of the tent.

Generally mature, Bryan, the almost 40 year old dad, did what most of us would love to do – Plopped down and splashed in the mud! Without a second thought, Cindy, his wife (my daughter) happily joined him! I only wish I had been able to see it!!

After a little bit of fun, the five struggled to dismantle the tent. Well, from nowhere, a group of kids (trashcan soccer boy included)who were waiting for their ride, came running over to help. In no time, the tent was down. A HUGE thank you to the kids from Hollis, NH!

What a great day! And although the hard parts of life are still with us, it was one of the best days anyone could have!